NEWQUAY RNLI has marked the 60th anniversary since the reopening of the lifeboat station at the harbour.

Past and present crew members as well as fundraisers attended a gathering held at Newquay Rowing Club to celebrate the launch of the facility in 1965.

They brought along pictures relating to their time at the lifeboat station, which included former lifeboats many of them served in. A cake was also enjoyed to celebrate the occasion.

Newquay RNLI lifeboat operations manager Gareth Horner said: “The anniversary event was well attended. It was a lovely trip down memory lane.

“We had crew members in attendance that were at the station when it reopened 60 years ago. We met some people who we haven’t seen for a long time. It was a really good event.”

Amongst the guests at the celebration was Graham Mountford who joined the lifeboat station on the day it re-opened.

He has become a bedrock for the station fulfilling various roles within the RNLI over the years including boat crew, shore crew, launch authority and launch vehicle operator. His current role is the station mechanic.

A spokesperson for Newquay Lifeboat Station said: “Graham’s passion for his tractor is renowned and every Saturday without fail, you will find him at the station servicing, cleaning and polishing the tractor. “Everyone at the station would like to thank and congratulate Graham for his 60 years of service to the RNLI and in particular Newquay Lifeboat Station.”

Newquay Lifeboat Station operated rowing and sailing lifeboats between 1860 to 1934, when the advent of motor lifeboats and the decline in coastal shipping forced its closure. A motor lifeboat was placed on temporary duty for duration of World War II between 1940 and 1945.

A period of 20 years without a lifeboat station followed until the introduction of a fast, easily manoeuvrable, inshore lifeboat, ideal for performing the type of rescue required by the huge increase in beach and water users.

The inshore lifeboat station was established in 1965, which is unique in that it includes a mission church as an annex, preserving part of the history of the former Seamen's Mission building.

The crew at the newly opened lifeboat station did not have to wait long for their first shout.

The first service launch of the new inshore lifeboat had taken place the very next day to a holidaymaker who had been cut off during the high tide at Porthcothan.

The lifeboat crew arrived and launched the lifeboat in just three minutes as holidaymakers watched from the harbour. The crew learned when they arrived at the scene that the casualty was safe and being cared for by rescue personnel on shore.

Lifeboat crew that day consisted of John Kennedy, Christopher Moffatt and Charles Uren Junior.

A spokesperson for Newquay Rowing Club said: “Attendees at the get together were delighted when the only surviving member of crew, Chris Moffatt turned up to the gathering and a nostalgic walk down memory lane quickly ensued.”